When I first saw mention of Kwei Quartey’s Wife of the Gods, I knew I had to read it. I can’t resist a crime fiction novel, especially one set in a country other than my own. I get to learn about another country and culture while at the same time settling in with the comfort of the familiar format of a mystery.

Kwei Quartey’s protagonist, Darko Dawson is the kind of detective I would want investigating my murder. He has a dogged determination and a strong sense of right and wrong—at least where others are concerned. Righteous is the word that comes to mind, but not in an arrogant or overbearing way. Darko is anything but perfect though. He has a weakness for marijuana and a bit of a temper which lands him in plenty of trouble.

The novel is set in the beautiful country of Ghana. Quartey paints a portrait of a complex society, one that straddles the old traditions and the new. In a community where witchcraft is feared and superstitions are commonplace, science is still trying to find a foothold. Detective Inspector Darko Dawson is a modern man. He trusts in science and facts to solve his cases. When he is assigned to Ketanu, a small out of the way community, to aid in the murder investigation of a volunteer AIDS worker, he comes face to face with the very superstitions he disdains.

The Chief Inspector of Ketanu has his eyes set on a particular young man as his suspect, but Darko isn’t convinced. He sets out on his own investigation, determined to solve the murder.

Darko’s mother disappeared after a visit to Ketanu over twenty years before while visiting her sister who lived in the town. Perhaps he can look into her disappearance while there as well. It’s a long shot after so many years, but he at least wants to give it a try.

I have seen this book compared to Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, and I have to disagree. Smith’s series is not much of a crime fiction series at all—and if you go into those books expecting a mystery, you may well be disappointed. With Quartey’s book, on the other hand, a mystery is exactly what you get. It’s also a bit darker in some respects, than Smith’s series.

There was so much I liked about this series, including the various interesting characters, the flashbacks into Darko’s past and the unfolding of the mystery of his mother’s disappearance as well as the murder of that young volunteer. There was a moment early on in the book when I thought one story thread might get lost in other, but fortunately that did not happen.

Another aspect that especially caught my attention was the health department and volunteers like the murdered woman who struggle to reach a population of people who are very entrenched in the old ways. The misinformation and superstitions surrounding AIDS is frightening. Add to that the issue of fetish priests and the practice of families marrying off their teenage daughters to them in hopes of turning around bad luck or getting rid of a curse. Quartey offers both sides of these issues to some extent, but it is clear which side Darko falls on.

Wife of the Gods is a promising start for a new series. There are many characters, including Armah, Darko’s inspiration and mentor, that I hope I can visit again. And I do hope I haven’t seen the last of Elizabeth Mensah. She’s an admirable and strong woman. Kwei Quartey is definitely an author to watch.

To learn more about the author, Kwei Quartey, and his book, visithis website.Visit TLC Book Tours for a list of Kwei Quartey's tour stops!

Interested in winning a copy of Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey? Here's how you can enter the drawing for a chance to win:

Leave a comment along with an e-mail address where I can contact you if it is not easily accessible on your blog or profile page.

To be entered, you MUST answer the following question: Who is one of your favorite fictional detectives?

Open to anyone with a valid mailing address.

Deadline to enter is August 22nd at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be notified by e-mail.

Many thanks to author Kwei Quartey and TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. Review copy provided by LibraryThing's Early Reviewer Program (via the publisher) and giveaway copy provided by the publisher.

Great review. One of my favorite fictional detectives is Harry Haristeen from the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown. Yes, I know they're rather cheesy, but I still enjoy them. Thanks for the great giveaway. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

I'm glad you enjoyed this book, Wendy (although I thought you would). The only similarity it has with the series written by Smith is that both take place in Africa. I'm noticing that, as more African mysteries appear on the scene, publishers think the only way to get them "out there" is by bringing up Smith's books. Any real likeness is secondary. :)

I'm not entering the giveaway, as I'm currently reading this book myself (I'm touring it next week), but I did want to get your impressions on it. I was a little confused at the beginning, but I'm really getting into it now.

Did you get to go to any of the author's local book signings? I wanted to, but between my trip to Chicago and some family stuff, it didn't quite work out.

Yes, yes yes, thanks for saying that about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency! That comparison, (made I believe b/c both books are set on the African continent) has been driving me nuts. I really enjoyed this book!

I am glad you enjoyed this book so much. I really wish I spent more time reading books set elsewhere. I may have to check this one out... (Please don't enter me... I just wanted to comment that I really enjoyed your review! :))

Thank you so much for a fabulous review. I know how much time and effort it takes, and believe me, I don't take it for granted in the least bit. It's greatly appreciated. The book world is not easy. Thanks again, and what a great feline photo!

This sounds like a great new series! I'd love to have my name thrown in the hat.

A favourite detective... hmmm... I can't choose but since I recently read my second Mankell, I'd say Kurt Wallander. Or Inspector Gamache from Louise Penny's series. Or John Cardinal from Giles Blunt's series. LOL. Those are the ones I've read most recently anyway. :P

Kathy - Thanks! I haven't yet read a Rita Mae Brown book yet, but she's on my list to try. Even cheesy is good sometimes. Nothing wrong with that. :-)

Claire - Mma Ramostwe is a favorite of mine too. I love that series. :-) I haven't yet read any of Rankin's books, but I do want to. I've heard great things about his series.

Amy - I liked the one MC Beaton book I read, but I haven't tried any of her others yet. My husband's read several of the "Cat Who" books. They aren't exactly his type but we've saved them because he's sure I'll like them more. :-)

Cathy - Yes, you did say that I would enjoy this one. :-) I imagine having McCall Smith's name on a book helps boost sales--but you know how annoying that can be to someone who is expecting one thing only to find they get something else completely.

I had hoped to go to the book signing at the beginning of the month but wasn't able to make it. I was so disappointed. :-(

Elizabeth (raidergirl3) - So do I! It's probably one of the biggest downfalls of me trying to keep my TBR collection down. I've been wanting to meet Salvo Montalbano for awhile now. I've heard great things about the series.

And Agatha Christie. She definitely earned her title as the Queen of Mystery.

MyFriendAmy - I am glad you enjoyed this one too! I think most of us who read a lot know not to trust those comparisons anymore, but sometimes they get by us anyway.

Kristie - Thank you, Kristie. I've especially become interested in mysteries set in other countries (besides England) in the last couple of years. I don't know how they escaped my notice before that.

Elizabeth - I hope you will give it a try!

Kim - I love Miss Marple! Agatha Christie is a great mystery author.

Jennifer - Rankin's an author I have yet to try that I've been meaning to. :-)

Nat - It was a fun read. I'm glad I got the chance to read it. :-) Mankell and Penny are both on my must read list. As is Blunt. So many I want to read! I hope I can get to even half of them before I die.

Serena - I wonder what your friend would think of the book. :-) I had a pen pal for many years who lived in Ghana. He wrote much like the characters in Quartey's novel spoke. So polite. I wonder what happened to him . . . I hope he is happy. :-)

I really like Alex Cross too. I haven't read all the books in Patterson's series, but several of the first few books at least.

I need to try another Sherlock Holmes book. The only one I've read had so little of him in it.

hello bookish kitty, (sorry - couldn't resist!)my first time here, found you by searching for info about this book- as a lover of alexander mccall's series, i am so happy to see another author begin a series set in africa! the story sounds fascinating.please count me in.

This one sure sounds like an interesting book - I like the characterizations as well as the exotic locale ( it is very hard to imagine a culture where superstition still has such a great influence on the general populace), anyway, I would dearly love to read this!AND my favorite (thus far) detective is Aloscious Pendegrast (spelling is no doubt wrong lol) of the Preston & Child series!

Thanks for introducing me to your blog site as well as a talented author :)

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At the age of five, Literary Feline (aka Wendy) was diagnosed as a fabulavore. Due to the low story content of movies and television, she has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance. She currently resides in California with her loving husband, adorable daughter, and two affectionate and sassy cats. Literary Feline has broadened her nutritional sources by reviewing books. Please note: Literary Feline is not a bibliovore. She's not eating the books for goodness' sake.